Maputo bus lane test phase starts tomorrow

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Maputo bus lane test phase starts tomorrow

2:57 CAT | 01 Feb 2016

Bus lanes come into force tomorrow on roads between Zimpeto and Baixa in central Maputo and the Museu through Avenues 24 de Julho and Guerra Popular, OUA and Avenida de Moçambique.

The left lane may also used by “chapas” and public and private workers’ shuttle buses.

Fifty of the 120 buses involved were handed over to private operators by the government last Friday, while road markings on the affected roads were still being put in place.

The dedicated bus lanes will be operate during rush hours from 5.30 a.m. and 8.30 a.m. coming into the city but travelling outwards from Museu or Praca dos Trabalhadores to Zimpeto they will share the road with other vehicles.

Similarly, from 3.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m., the lanes leaving the city will be exclusively for public transport vehicles.

Maputo city authorities expect some increase in congestion initially, but believe there will be an improvement as people start choosing to travel by public transport.

António Rodrigues, president of the Cooperativa de Transportadores do Corredor 1, Limitada (Cootrac 1, Lda.), said that the lanes will improve traffic circulation and increase travel. The next phase – the granting of routes – will create more discipline among operators.

Speaking on Friday at the handing over of the buses to private operators, mayor of Maputo David Simango explained that the lanes are meant for all collective transportation.

He said the move would cause difficulties initially but urged everyone to approach the municipality with ideas for improvement, rather than just standing back and criticising.

By Friday night, part of EN1 had already been marked. The markings are intended to be finished before the start of the trial run, according to Carlos Diante, Director of Transport and Traffic within the capital.

Source: Notícias

Photo: Notícias